During the month of October, we got to enjoy being at churches in the beautiful New England area. At the beginning of October, we were at Trinity Baptist Church in Williston, VT. We had the unique opportunity to be really involved with the teens in the church and school there. For a couple days during the week, we got to run a couple days of Cola War activities with the teens from the school. It was fun to see the teens get really involved with the games and focus during the different preaching sessions. We also loved to connect with the teens during the precessions before each of the evening services. The kids program that week was definitely memorable! The kids from the church and school worked hard to invite friends so that at the end of the week, when they hit their goal, they enjoyed watching Phil eat a live goldfish! On our off day, the team enjoyed some unique fun opportunities. A pilot from the church took everyone up in his small plane to see the colors in Vermont. Later in the day, we spent time with Pastor Gotcher hiking the mountains of Vermont and arriving at the highest point in the state. We also had the opportunity to celebrate Asher and Jobe’s birthdays at this church. Our team definitely loved our time in Vermont. 


After Vermont, our team headed to Truth Baptist Church, in South Windsor, CT. We loved being able to see how their church worships on Sunday morning. Truth Baptist is filled with sweet people that our team loved connecting with whether in conversations or playing basketball with kids and teens. During presessions before services, we had a blast with the youth group. Games were fun, but they were really engaged with the challenges that Riley gave each night. It was also encouraging to see the church invite people out for the Irish Concert that week. During our off day that week, our team had a blast going to Boston. Bethany did such a great job planning a fun day for our team while also learning history along the way! ​

Linwood, NJ/Slate Belt, PA

In the middle of September, we began our fall ministry at Linwood Community Church, in Linwood NJ and Slate Belt Church in Pen Argyl, PA. We had the opportunities to have various special activities which included Family Fun Nights, Teen Events, & and Irish Concerts. Aaron preached a number of times throughout the two weeks, and we were thrilled that one of the ladies who visited Linwood Community Church accepted Christ! 

We loved the connections that we got to build with the teens at both churches. At Linwood, you would find our team and the teens playing a game of Knock Out or just standing around talking. One afternoon, we had the opportunity to go canvassing at a Middle School to invite teens for the Cola War. That was a great way not only to invite kids out for the event, but it was another great way to connect with teens at the church. The Cola War was on Thursday and was a great turnout! At Slate Belt, we had opportunities to hang around after services to be with the teens and did a youth activity night. We loved seeing those teens have fun and build relationships with them.

The Irish Concerts at both churches were such a great way to invite people out to hear fun music, but to also hear the gospel clearly.

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After Nebraska, our team made the great trek out West to begin our four weeks in Colorado. We drove across the Great Plains to begin our meetings at Red Rocks Baptist Church in Morrison, CO. Several of our team members had never been to Colorado, so it was especially fun to see their reactions to the gorgeous mountains.​ 
​We began pre-sessions on Monday evenings with the teens. Our time before the service accomplishes several purposes by connecting with the teens, digging into the Word together, and building towards the teen event later in the week. ​It was a joy to see how the teens rallied together at the Cola Wars on Thursday evening for the final event of the week.

​Our second week in Colorado was in Longmont, CO at Faithpoint Baptist Church. Our time with this body of believers was a sweet encouragement to us throughout the week. Our grand finale together was on Friday evening when we had a Family Fun night. We had a bouncy house, popcorn, sundaes, nachos, root beer floats, and so much more! The church people invited their unsaved friends and co-workers, and the turn-out was encouraging and exciting. We got to watch Gospel friendships in action, as the church people carried on Gospel conversations with their guests.

Our last two weeks in CO were unique. We served in two different churches for just a Sunday. The first week we got to partner with Castleview Baptist Church, where one of our former team members, Emilee Nelson, currently attends. We got to be a part of their Fall Festival on Saturday evening. They held it at their new church property, and there were many guests that visited. It was also a blessing to be a part of their Sunday services. The second Sunday, we were able to serve at Tri-City Baptist Church in Westminter, CO. On Sunday night, we did a special service through Romans 8. This “singspiration” has preaching from the word, responsive congregational singing, and a few songs from the team. We repeat that format four different times, and it is powerful. It may be one of the favorite things that we do as a team. We love hearing the congregation respond after hearing the Word! Romans 8 gives us much to praise the Lord for!
It was a blessing to meet so many new friends out West! We can’t wait to, Lord willing, serve out there again!
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Our first week of the fall semester brought us to Troy, MO. We traveled on Friday from Detroit and made it to St. Louis late the evening. With our Saturday being free, the team enjoyed the opportunity to visit the St. Louis zoo before we began our set-up for the week. They had such a blast.
Each evening before the services, we had pre-sessions for the adults, teens and kids. This time is just a “bonus” for those who can come a little bit before the service starts to get some extra time in the Word and prayer. Thursday evening was the Irish Concert, and there were several unbelievers that came through the invitations of various church members. It was our first concert of the semester and Stephanie’s first concert to be a part of. Adding a second fiddle to our music has been so much fun!
It was a joy to serve and worship with the people of Abundant Life Baptist Church. We are always amazed at the fellowship we get to share with complete strangers as we travel the country. God puts within believers a very distinct love for each other, and we count it a privilege as we get to experience that fellowship and love through the body of Christ all across America.

Kids program always provides many unique moments during the week, and this particular week did not disappoint. Ryan the Regent lost the hearts of his dear Kingdom as Riley the Rabble-Rouser and Mitchell the Minstrel swooped in and offered themselves as more suitable replacements for the crown. The kids were over-the-top involved in the rioting over the crown. It was hilarious to see the kids get so excited about the plot of Kammelot. It was an absolute delight to jump in with both feet in our mission to teach these kids that God’s Kindgom is worth our everything. Jesus is better than anything and everyone! We can have absolute confidence as we commit our lives to Christ.

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